Each soldier tells a story.
A memorial plaque in St Paul’s Church, Grand Parade, Halifax, names three members of the Mowbray family: father, Lt Col John Arthur Clarke Mowbray; mother, Sadie McLellan Mowbray; and son, Cyril McLellan Mowbray.
Cyril was born in Halifax on 23 March 1898. On 23 March 1916, his 18th birthday, he attested at Shorncliffe (England). (Address of next-of-kin, his father, was London.) He listed his occupation as clerk. He was attached initially to the pay office in London. Eventually he joined a unit at Bramshott. He was granted a commission in July 1917 and sent to France in August with the 5th Battalion. He was hospitalized briefly in September for scabies.
On 10 November 1917, he was reported wounded. On 26 November, the report was ‘wounded and missing’. On 29 December, the report was changed to ‘killed in action’. From the Circumstances of Death Register:
Previously reported Wounded and Missing now Killed in Action. A non-commissioned officer of his company states he saw Lieut Mowbray lying on a road north west of Passchendaele, he had apparently been going to the rear wounded when hit a second time causing him to become delirious. He made him as comfortable as possible and went to get a stretcher. He could not get one but brought a comrade to assist him. They tried to lift him but found he had no use of either of his legs, both appeared to be broken above the knee. While going up the road for more assistance, he himself was wounded and while being carried to a dressing station he again passed Lieut Mowbray who then appeared to be dead.
Body last seen at approximate Sheet 28.D.5.b.9.6, near road running between Meetcheele and Mosselmarkt.
Cyril McLellan Mowbray’s name is on the Menin Gate, Ieper (Ypres). In addition to the plaque in St Paul’s, he is also remembered on the family gravestone in St John’s Cemetery, Bedford Rd, Halifax. The Canadian Virtual War Memorial lists him as the only son of Lt. Col. J. A. C. and Sadie Mowbray. The family gravestone names three other children who died in infancy.
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